Category: Videos

In the final installment of A Perfect Meal, sustainability takes center stage. Not only is the diet beneficial for our health, but it also turns out to be good for the planet. The Mediterranean diet is based on seasonal ingredients and emphasizes fresh produce. Watch the last episode to see how the Mediterranean diet benefits not only your health but also the Earth. By Nadia

This documentary looks into the relationship between the ancient forests of British Columbia and the Indigenous people of the lands. Corporations aim to exploit the resources of the forests through old-growth logging, but this film follows the people in their fight for the forests. Features interviews with many people who take part in the protection and advocacy of the forests and the culture of the Indigenous people, and who are opposed to clear-cut logging in the area. By Gabby

Going against the norms in Olympic weightlifting and mainstream culture, Cheryl Haworth redefines what it means to be fit and healthy. We follow her journey to the 2008 Beijing Olympics as she faces injuries, but also how she accepts her size regardless of societal norms. The raw emotions throughout the documentary depict her vulnerability, mindset, and strength as a female weightlifter of her size.

Peer into an empowering mother’s life through artistically framed and shot scenes. Afibola is a Black, queer woman raising her son Olorun in Havana, Cuba, and this is not without unique challenges. Living under impoverished conditions, she and her partner work hard to support their family, while protecting and strengthening Olorun in a society that treats and views him as lesser simply because of the color of his skin. By Kianna

This 64-minute documentary talks about the Indigenous people of Mexico, their relationship with water, and their continuous struggle for water to help grow their crops. The people featured in this documentary tell their stories about how things used to be before, when water was abundant, and how the lack of water in their rivers has affected their lives and livelihoods. Also discussed are the change in rainy weather patterns and the government's negligence in mishandling sewage and pollution from the city of Pinotepa Nacional. By Gabby

In the fourth installment of A Perfect Meal, researchers examine the adverse effects of consuming a Western diet. Lowering your risk of early-onset dementia and other brain-related diseases is just one of the many benefits of adopting a Mediterranean diet. Watch this short episode to learn how the Mediterranean diet can help address the global health crisis. By Nadia

With the arrival of new technologies and media, becoming beautiful has never been easier and more desired. Made Over in America discusses the complex relationship between beauty and ourselves, as technology enables us to see ourselves in ways that would've been impossible in the past. Producers, surgeons, reality show participants, everyday college students, and psychologists converse about how society’s attitude towards beauty is altered due to the convenience of plastic surgery and the expectations of being beautiful.

Upon its publication, the international bestseller Maus took the world by storm through its unique storytelling of the Holocaust, garnering mixed reception from its publishers to its readers. This documentary captures the author’s thoughts, the struggle to even create and print the then-controversial comic, and the reactions of actual Holocaust survivors and their families. A significant piece of historical work, the only way to truly experience Maus is to read it. By Kianna

In a society where women are expected to be docile and submissive, Gaea Girls are a group of Japanese female wrestlers who opposed the typical expectation. Their training is rough and intense just like any other athlete’s regimen, making some feel as though they are distinguished individuals in the ring. This documentary shows the physical and mental frustrations these trainees face while trying to become a professional wrestler.

This 90-minute documentary looks at the Tunisian Revolution which leads to the wider Arab Spring. The film follows two women who have differing perspectives post-revolution on the state in which to rebuild their country along two different political parties which they each are part of. Each explains how their country should move forward in its post revolution phase. As Tunisia moves in reconstructing their nation in different ways, the film follows these two women and their families through several years of Tunisian government, revolution, election, and politically fueled incidents. By Gabby

In the third installment of A Perfect Meal, researchers discuss the benefits of adding more vegetables and fruits to your diet. A study of several participants with a peculiar mutation that allows cancerous polyps to grow in their intestines showed a decrease in inflammation when they adopted a Mediterranean diet. Tune in to discover other benefits that come from switching to a Mediterranean diet! By Nadia

Garçonnières is a documentary filmed by an anthropologist, Celine Pernet, in hopes to understand the relationship with masculinity. She interviews men to discuss what it means to be a man in the 21st century as they converse about love, couples, and even fatherhood. It allows us to understand how society has shaped the way humans act, process, and connect things in a certain way.

Learn about a period of American history that is fading from our memories--the Salem Witch Trials. Persisting into the modern day, the persecution of fabled witches was merely a disguise and excuse to punish women who did not conform to society. In this documentary, 400 years of history is dug up and researched by Alice Markham-Cantor, a writer and eleven-time great-granddaughter of an innocent woman hanged during these dark times. By Kianna

A documentary on prostitution in urban Brazil that consists of interviews with residents and women involved in the profession. The interviewees discuss life before and outside of prostitution, their families, and working life. Hardships include troubles with law enforcement, disease, and health. Many of the women state that they partake in prostitution to fulfill their need to provide for their families and put food on the table. By Gabby

This documentary looks into the lives of some of the 23 resistance fighters of the Affiche Rouge, who were executed in 1944 by Nazi occupiers in France. The fighters were labelled on a notorious red poster as foreigners, communists, and Jews. Friends and family close to the resistance fighters talk about their lives from what they can recall and from what the fighters left behind through letters left to their loved ones before execution. By Gabby

Become inspired and emotionally invested in a facet of life that is commonly taken for granted: music. A classical pianist worthy of eternal preservation across time and space, take a look at how impactful Ludwig van Beethoven’s compositions have been on people from different backgrounds. To most, Beethoven’s music pieces are simply works of art, but to the individuals in this documentary, they mean salvation, hope, and freedom. By Kianna

This documentary follows a woman who helps connect families with those who have loved ones incarcerated. The film follows a van and the woman named Kristal who drives it and her story with her own family being in and out of prison and how that has affected her life and her loved ones as well. Their story revolves around love, the unsureness of it all, hope, and their rocky journey. The film emphasizes the flaws in the criminal justice system and the disproportionate impact on Black and Brown people. By Gabby

Vincent Van Gogh’s rise to become one of the most renowned artists is a tale of struggle and perseverance. This documentary follows his sister-in-law, Johanna Van Gogh, facing over 15 years of disdain in order to follow her late husband’s ambition for the world to see Vincent’s artwork. With beautiful impressionistic-style animations and rich emotions, this documentary brings their story to life, one of passion and resilience--if people can understand the man, perhaps they will understand his craft.

This film discusses the use of pharmaceuticals that help the consumer find happiness, lessen pain, or even attain peace. The documentary follows six individuals from six different countries who face different personal issues such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, tiredness from work, etc. It shows how everyone faces similar struggles despite living different scenarios, and questions if humans use pharmaceuticals as a crutch rather than constructing their own happiness.

In the second installment of A Perfect Meal, researchers explore the many benefits of olive oil, also known as liquid gold. During this episode, a study involving approximately 7,500 participants was conducted to examine the benefits of adopting a diet rich in fats from olive oil. Tune in to find out the results! By Nadia

Take a trip through the history of the Olympics to learn about the women athletes whose achievements were lost to rigid gender stereotypes during their time. This short film highlights game-changing competitors that were never taken seriously simply due to their gender. The discrimination and scrutiny faced by women in the past persists into the modern world of athletics, additionally impacting women of color and the LGBTQ+ community.

Follow filmmaker Martina Radwan’s touching six year journey, as she guides and mentors three Mongolian children, Baaskaa, Baani, and Nasaa, through their youth in an emotional documentary. From orphans living on the street and being forced into child labor, Martina was the one person who stayed to help equip these kids with skills, education, and values so they could have a chance at success and survival in their merciless world.

In this short film, Adonis, the director explores the underground world of bodybuilding, shedding light on the impact of steroid use and the unhealthy body image that dominates modern society. The story follows a group of young men as they navigate their journeys with fitness, self-esteem, and peer pressure. As they delve deeper into the world of extreme bodybuilding, the film emphasizes the physical and psychological consequences of their choices, particularly focusing on how societal expectations and toxic masculinity drive them toward dangerous solutions for self-improvement. The director's aim is to raise awareness of the harmful effects of steroid use and the societal pressures that contribute to male body insecurities.